Alstroemeria plant named ‘Koncafire’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Alstroemeria  plant named ‘Koncafire’, characterized by its compact and mounding plant habit; sturdy and strong plants; vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate; freely branching habit; numerous bright red-colored flowers with dark purple-colored stripes; and good garden performance.

Botanical designation: Alstroemeria hybrida.

Cultivar denomination: ‘KONCAFIRE’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Alstroemeria plant, botanically known as Alstroemeria hybrida, typically grown as a container-type garden Alstroemeria and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘Koncafire’.

The new Alstroemeria plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Nieuwveen, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program is to create new compact container-type garden Alstroemeria plants that have an early and freely flowering habit with attractive leaf and flower coloration.

The new Alstroemeria plant originated from a cross-pollination made by the Inventor in Nieuwveen, The Netherlands in September, 2011 of a proprietary selection of Alstroemeria hybrida identified as code number 39728-32, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with Alstroemeria hybrida ‘Koncalolly’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,284, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Alstroemeria plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment in Nieuwveen, The Netherlands in June, 2013.

Asexual reproduction of the new Alstroemeria plant by in vitro rhizogenesis in a controlled greenhouse environment in Nieuwveen, The Netherlands since October, 2013 has shown that the unique features of this new Alstroemeria plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Alstroemeria have not been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Koncafire’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Koncafire’ as a new and distinct Alstroemeria plant:

-   -   1. Compact and mounding plant habit.     -   2. Sturdy and strong plants.     -   3. Vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate.     -   4. Freely branching habit.     -   5. Numerous bright red flowers with dark purple-colored stripes.     -   6. Good garden performance.

Plants of the new Alstroemeria can be compared to plants of the female parent selection. Plants of the new Alstroemeria differ primarily from plants of the female parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Alstroemeria are more compact than plants         of the female parent selection.     -   2. Plants of the new Alstroemeria and the female parent         selection differ in flower color as flowers of plants of the         female parent selection are orange in color.

Plants of the new Alstroemeria can be compared to plants of the male parent, ‘Koncalolly’. Plants of the new Alstroemeria differ primarily from plants of ‘Koncalolly’ in flower color as plants of ‘Koncalolly’ have dark red and red purple-colored flowers.

Plants of the new Alstroemeria can be compared to plants of the Alstroemeria hybrida ‘Koncaband’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,933. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Nieuwveen, The Netherlands, plants of the new Alstroemeria differ from plants of ‘Koncaband’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Alstroemeria are shorter and broader than         plants of ‘Koncaband’.     -   2. Plants of the new Alstroemeria have larger flowers than         plants of ‘Koncaband’.     -   3. Plants of the new Alstroemeria and ‘Koncaband’ differ in         flower color as plants of ‘Koncaband’ have lighter red-colored         flowers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Alstroemeria plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Alstroemeria plant.

The photograph on the first sheet is a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘Koncafire’ grown in container.

The photograph on the second sheet is a close-up view of a typical flower of ‘Koncafire’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations and measurements describe plants of the new Alstroemeria grown during the late spring in 19-cm containers in a glass-covered greenhouse in Nieuwveen, The Netherlands and under cultural practices typical of commercial container-type Alstroemeria production. During the production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 6° C. to 30° C. and night temperatures ranged from 6° C. to 20° C. Plants were 36 weeks old when the photographs and description were taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Alstroemeria hybrida ‘Koncafire’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of             Alstroemeria hybrida identified as code number 39728-32, not             patented.         -   Male or pollen parent.—Alstroemeria hybrida ‘Koncalolly’,             disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,284. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—In vitro rhizogenesis.         -   Root description.—Thick, fleshy; typically white in color,             actual color of the roots is dependent on substrate             composition, water quality, fertilizers, substrate             temperature and physiological age of roots.         -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; dense.         -   Rhizome description.—Shape: Elongate; rounded. Length: About             7 cm. Diameter: About 1.3 cm. Texture: Smooth. Color: Close             to 161D. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Perennial garden plant; compact and             mounded; freely branching habit, bushy appearance; sturdy             and strong plants; vigorous growth habit; rapid growth rate.         -   Plant height.—About 28 cm.         -   Plant diameter (area of spread).—About 45 cm. -   Stem description:     -   -   Aspect.—Mostly upright.         -   Internode length.—About 4 mm to 12 mm.         -   Strength.—Strong, sturdy.         -   Texture.—Smooth, glabrous.         -   Color.—Close to 138A. -   Leaf description:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate; below the peduncle, arranged in a             single whorl; leaves sessile.         -   Length.—About 4.2 cm to 9.6 cm.         -   Width.—About 1.1 cm to 2.5 cm.         -   Shape.—Lanceolate.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Attenuate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces.—Smooth,             glabrous; slightly glossy.         -   Venation pattern.—Parallel.         -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to 138A.             Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 137C. Fully             expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to 137B; venation,             close to 137D. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Close             to 137C; venation, close to 138B. -   Flower description:     -   -   Flower type and habit.—Single cup-shaped flowers arranged in             compound umbels; flowers face upright to outwardly; freely             flowering habit with up to 16 flowers developing per             inflorescence and about 40 to 75 flowers developing per             plant during the flowering season.         -   Natural flowering season.—Flowering continuous from the late             spring until the autumn in The Netherlands; early-flowering             habit, plants begin flowering about 6 to 16 weeks after stem             initiation.         -   Fragrance.—None detected.         -   Flower longevity on the plant.—About one to three weeks,             longevity is temperature-dependent; flowers not persistent.         -   Flower longevity as a cut flower.—About one to two weeks,             longevity is temperature-dependent; flowers not persistent.         -   Flower buds.—Length: About 4.5 cm. Diameter: About 1.6 cm.             Shape: Ovoid. Color: Close to N45A; at the apex, close to             146C.         -   Umbel height.—About 11 cm.         -   Umbel diameter.—About 19 cm.         -   Flower diameter.—About 6.5 cm.         -   Flower depth (height).—About 7 cm.         -   Perianth.—Arrangement: Six arranged in two whorls, each             whorl with two lateral and one median segments. Size, inner             perianth: Length, lateral segments: About 6 cm. Width,             lateral segments: About 2.1 cm. Length, median segment:             About 5 cm. Width, median segment: About 1.9 cm. Size, outer             perianth: Length, lateral segments: About 6.5 cm. Width,             lateral segments: About 3.4 cm. Length, median segment:             About 6.8 cm. Width, median segment: About 3.4 cm. Shape,             inner perianth, lateral and median segments: Oblanceolate.             Shape, outer perianth, lateral and median segments: Obovate.             Apex, inner perianth, lateral and median segments: Acute.             Apex, outer perianth, lateral and median segments:             Emarginate, wishbone-shaped. Base, inner and outer             perianths, lateral and median segments: Attenuate. Margin,             inner and outer perianths, lateral and median segments:             Proximally, entire; distally, finely dentate. Texture, inner             and outer perianths, lateral and median segments: Smooth,             glabrous. Luster, inner and outer perianths, lateral and             median segments: Matte, dull. Color, inner perianth, lateral             segments: When opening, upper surface: Towards the apex,             close to 42A; mid-section, close to 18C; towards the base,             close to 47D; stripes, close to 187A. When opening, lower             surface: Towards the apex, close to 42B; mid-section, close             to 41D; towards the base, close to 42D; stripes, close to             187A. Fully opened, upper surface: Towards the apex, close             to 45A; mid-section, close to 16A; towards the base, close             to 49A; stripes, close to 187A; color does not change with             development. Fully opened, lower surface: Towards the apex,             close to 42B; mid-section, close to 33C; towards the base,             close to 34A; stripes, close to 187A. Color, inner perianth,             median segment: When opening, upper surface: Towards the             apex, close to 42A; towards the base, close to 155C;             stripes, close to 187A. When opening, lower surface: Towards             the apex, close to 42A; mid-section, close to 42B; towards             the base, close to 41D; stripes, close to 187A. Fully             opened, upper surface: Towards the apex, close to 45A;             mid-section, close to 39B; towards the base, close to 38C;             stripes, close to 187A; color does not change with             development. Fully opened, lower surface: Towards the apex,             close to 44A; mid-section, close to 42B; towards the base,             close to 41C; stripes, close to 187A. Color, outer perianth,             lateral segments: When opening, upper surface: Close to 45A.             When opening, lower surface: Close to N45D. Fully opened,             upper surface: Close to N45C; color does not change with             development. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to 45A;             venation, close to 153B. Color, outer perianth, median             segment: When opening, upper surface: Close to N45B; towards             the base, close to N45D. When opening, lower surface: Close             to N45C; towards the base, close to N45D. Fully opened,             upper surface: Close to N45C; color does not change with             development. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to 45A;             venation, close to 153B.         -   Pedicels.—Length: About 1.5 cm to 2.2 cm. Diameter: About             3 mm. Strength: Strong. Angle: About 45° to 70° from             vertical. Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color, upper and lower             surfaces: Close to 137C.         -   Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Quantity per flower: Six.             Anther shape: Oval. Anther size: About 3 mm by 8 mm. Anther             color: Close to 164A. Pollen amount: Abundant. Pollen color:             Close to 163B. Pistils: Quantity per flower: One. Pistil             length: About 4.8 cm. Style length: About 4.3 cm. Style             color: Close to 45C. Stigma color: Close to 46A. Ovary             color: Close to 137C.         -   Fruits and seeds.—Fruit and seed development has not been             observed on plants of the new Alstroemeria. -   Disease & pest resistance: Plants of the new Alstroemeria have not     been observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to     Alstroemeria plants. -   Garden performance: Plants of the new Alstroemeria have been     observed to have good garden performance and to tolerate wind, rain     and temperatures ranging from about 6° C. to about 35° C. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Alstroemeria plant named ‘Koncafire’ as illustrated and described. 